Directly behind the Lakers bench, another fan wore a T-shirt with a graphic of Howard sucking on a pacifier and wearing a ribbon in his hair.

Yeah, he was suddenly everywhere. Including the stat sheet.

Howard had 39 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers' 106-97 victory.

He was so loose at the end of the third quarter, he saw courtside Magic fans booing him as he headed to the Lakers' bench. So he mimicked them. Yes, he booed himself.

Howard irked Magic followers by asking for a trade last season, then appearing to rescind his request, only to ask again for a trade that was finally granted in a four-team deal.

Earlier Tuesday, Howard pleasantly discussed his time with the Magic, throwing out appreciation and kindness in equal doses during an interview session.

"We had a lot of great memories here and that will never be taken away from me," he said. "I saw a city go from a team with just, like, nobody in the stands to a new arena and a packed house every night to see our team play."

Not everything Tuesday was anti-Howard. One fan held up a sign that said, "Dwight Come Home."

He did for one game.

And Magic fans booed him when he left for good with 49.9 seconds to play.

The crowd was so depleted, though, Howard's new team ahead by 13, that plenty of cheers from Lakers fans could also be heard.